From Dublin to Milan
Aisling Sullivan did not foresee the impact that taking Italian classes in Dublin would have on her future life and career.
After a sudden life-change due to a job loss in 2008, Aisling decided to take up Italian as a hobby. She always loved the sound of the language and had worked with many Italian artists over the years at Opera Ireland, but regretted not being able to speak the language herself. So Aisling enrolled at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Dublin, who awarded her two bursaries to study in Florence for a month each time. ‘It was an incredible experience’ says Aisling. It started a journey that would lead to a new life in Italy, marrying an Italian, speaking the language fluently.
‘When I made the move to Italy, I was very thankful to have a solid grasp of the language. I now have my own business as a Business English Communications Coach and I also teach for the University of Milan. Being fluent in the Italian language was vital for success and opened many doors. To work for the University of Milan, for example, it’s necessary to speak fluent Italian, even though my role is primarily through English.’ Aisling says.
As legendary Italian film director Federico Fellini once said,
‘Una lingua diversa è una diversa visione della vita’
– ‘A different language is a different vision of life’.
Aisling couldn’t agree more.
Read the full story on Aisling’s Italian Journey as featured in ‘Italy Magazine’ here
